Spider veins, also called thread veins, are small colored veins that appear on the surface of the skin. These clusters of damaged blood vessels can appear on the lower legs, thighs, or face. The following can cause thread veins on the body:
Weight Gain
Valves in leg veins prevent blood from backflowing and pooling in the legs. Weight gain increases pressure on the leg veins and their valves. To send blood back to the heart, leg veins need enough force. Excess pressure on the valves causes them to weaken and sustain damage. Blood starts to pool inside the vein, causing a bulge that branches out. These branches are known as the thread veins.
Genetics
Children can inherit genetic issues that affect the strength of their veins. If your parents have spider veins, you may be more likely to develop them as well. Specialists treat this condition through sclerotherapy. During the process, they use a sodium tetradecyl sulfate solution or ultrasound-guided foam sclerosant. They inject the solution into the thread veins, causing them to shut. The body diverts blood flow to other healthy veins, and the spider veins disappear.
Trauma
Injuries and vein trauma cause the appearance of thread veins. Car accidents, surgeries, and broken ankles cause inflammation, resulting in enlarged veins. In some cases, thread veins appear a few years after your wound has healed. Your doctor can use superficial laser therapy to collapse and seal spider veins. As they heat the veins, they use local anesthesia to minimize pain. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need several treatments.
Pregnancy
Hormones change during pregnancy, and the body contains more blood. The weight of the growing baby contributes to the formation of thread veins. High progesterone levels during pregnancy decrease valve function by relaxing blood vessel walls. The pressure exerted by your baby on the pelvis alters blood flow and can result in spider veins developing.
Before treatment, a specialist examines your legs for vessel dilation. After giving birth, the redness may begin to fade away. Doctors provide treatment for cases that last beyond childbirth. Through laser treatment, your doctor removes the affected blood vessels without damaging your skin. With sclerotherapy, the chemicals in the injection cause your veins to seal off.
Hormonal Factors
Hormonal changes at puberty and menopause can cause thread veins. Progesterone and estrogen dilate small veins, bulging them outward. Excessive estrogen weakens blood vessels and causes blood to pool under the skin. Large quantities of progesterone increase blood pressure and cause valve malfunction. Aging affects hormonal balance due to cellular changes and can cause thread veins in some individuals.
Sun Exposure
The heat from the sun causes your veins to swell. Sunlight breaks down collagen, causing the thinning of the skin. The veins become more visible, including thread veins. Sun rays damage visible blood vessels, resulting in the appearance of clustered spider veins.
Seek Professional Treatment for Spider Veins
Doctors use laser therapy to effectively eliminate thread veins. These treatments have minimal downtime and allow individuals to quickly return to their everyday activities. Contact a reputable vein health expert to learn more about their treatment options.